Pomegranate tree

ABSTRACT

The present invention related to a pomegranate tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety thereof broadly characterized by its regular bearing of very early maturing, brightly colored, generally round, pomegranates having a low acidity and being tender with sweetly flavored seed arils and relatively thin rind which resists splitting. The instant pomegranate tree bears the cultivar name Early Red II.

The present invention relates to a pomegranate tree and moreparticularly to a new and distinct variety thereof broadly characterizedby its regular bearing of very early maturing, brightly colored,generally round, pomegranates having a low acidity and being tender withsweetly flavored seed arils and relatively thin rind which resistssplitting.

The instant variety pomegranate tree blooms at the same time as theEarly Red (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,723) pomegranate tree which the instantvariety most nearly resembles. Its fruit, however, distinguishes fromthe said Early Red variety in that it matures about seven to ten daysearlier at which time it has a ratio of acid to the total soluble solidsof the fruit which is well below the 1.85% acidity required for harvest.The fruit of the instant variety further distinguishes in some casesfrom the fruit of said Early Red variety in being slightly smaller insize and having a more uniformly red skin.

I have discovered the instant variety of pomegranate tree as a sportgrowing on an Early Red pomegranate tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,723) inan orchard of such trees on my ranch in Fresno County (San JoaquinValley) Calif. I asexually reproduced it by cuttings made from theoriginal sport. The trees resulting from said cuttings produced fruitand the fruit and tree characteristics proved identical to those of theoriginal sport.

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of two mature fruit ofthe instant variety with one divided in a plane taken generally alongits major axis to reveal flesh coloration and the edible seed arilthereof.

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of pomegranate tree, the following have been observedunder the ecological conditions prevailing at my orchard in FresnoCounty, Calif., and is an outlined description thereof. All major colorplate identifications are by reference to the Nickerson Color Fan of theAmerican Horticultural Council.

TREE

Size: Small, round, compact, and bushy; usually decidious.

Trunk: Knotty, irregular, suckering freely from roots and crown.

Branches.--Slender, twiggy, nearly cylindrical, somewhat thorny; newgrowth four-angled, with thorns being of modified stem structure and notof leaf origin. Thorns average 1/4" to 3/4" in length.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Averaging 3".

Width.--Averaging 1/2".

Form.--Lanceolate, long or obovate, obtuse, glabrous, red-veined duringearly growth.

Color.--Moderate olive green (5 GY 4/3) to grayish-olive green (5 GY3/2).

Margin.--Without glands and marginal veins.

Petiole.--Medium short, medium thick.

Stipules.--Few at base of leaf.

Flowers: Profuse, large, axially; solitary or in small clusters; bornemainly at the tips of the branches in the mantle of the tree.

Size.--Averaging 11/4".

Calyx.--Stiff, tubular, showy; reddish-orange in color, five to sevenlobes or sepals, crowned with crumpled petals; bright scarlet and whitein color; lanceolate to ovolate in form; equal in number to the sepalsand inserted between them.

Stamens.--Numerous, inserted on inner wall of calyx tube or receptacle,surmounted by single long, slender style; contains seven to fifteencarpels or locules arranged in two whorls or series, one interior andlower, containing three carpels; the other exterior and upper,containing six to twelve carpels.

Stigma.--Small, discoid.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Firm ripe.

Size: Medium. Axial diameter, averaging 31/4" under normal environmentaland horticultural conditions with usual thinning to space fruit alongthe fruit bearing branches. Transverse in a plane common with the majoraxis, averaging 31/4". At right angle to major axis, averaging 21/4".

Form: Generally round, obovate, slightly flattened at base and apex.

Calyx tube.--Medium to short, lobes reflexed.

Rind.--Thin, tough, resists splitting. Color, bright dark red (5R 3/7).

Flesh.--Abundant, small amount of rag or pulp; astringent, bitter.Color, brilliant yellow (5Y 9/9).

Seeds.--Small in proportion to the aril, fairly tender and easily eaten.

Aril.--Succulent, juice abundant, rich flavor, sprightly, vinous andsubacid extended to the rind. Color: transparent, dark red (5R 3/4).

Use: Fresh market, local and distant, culinary.

Keeping quality.--Excellent.

Shipping quality.--Excellent.

Although the new variety of pomegranate tree possesses the describedcharacteristics of the growing condition in Fresno County, Calif., inthe central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be understoodthat fluctuations of the usual magnitude in characteristics to growingconditions, fertilization, pruning and pest control are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of pomegranatetree, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patentis:
 1. A new and distinct variety of pomegranate tree substantially asillustrated and described which is characterized by its bearing of earlymaturing fruit which ripens about one week to ten days earlier than thefruit of the patented pomegranate tree U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,723commonly known as the Early Red. The new variety most nearly resemblessaid previously patented pomegranate tree U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,723 butis distinguished from it by its earlier ripening fruit and in some casesby fruit slightly smaller in size and having a more uniformly red skin.